Foot rest stand

ABSTRACT

A furniture item for suspending a user&#39;s feet comprises a suspended foot rest. The foot rest comprises a first attachment portion at a first end of the suspended foot rest and a second attachment portion at a physically opposite second end of the suspended foot rest. The first attachment portion comprises a first structural attachment member that is attached to a first pillar. The second attachment portion comprises a second structural attachment member that is attached to a second pillar. The first pillar extends upward to a first elevated portion that extends above a floor. The first elevated portion is attached to the first structural attachment. The second pillar extends upward to a second elevated portion that extends above the floor. The second elevated portion is attached to the second structural attachment. The suspended foot rest is suspended between the first pillar and the second pillar.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to United StatesProvisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/362,469 filed on Jul. 14,2016 and entitled “FOOT REST STAND,” which application is expresslyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

People spend a large amount of time sitting. For example, many peoplespend a majority of their days sitting at a desk within an office.Similarly, individuals often sit on chairs at home while watching TV.Sitting for long periods of time can be uncomfortable and unhealthy.

Many people find it more comfortable to sit with their feet elevated.Various furniture items have been provided to help user's raise theirfeet. For example, ottomans and recliners are both furniture pieces thatcan be used to elevate a user's feet. Many of these furniture pieces arelarge and heavy. The cumbersome nature of the furniture can lead usersto limit the use of the furniture. Accordingly, there are improvementsto be made to the art.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments thatsolve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such asthose described above. Rather, this background is only provided toillustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodimentsdescribed herein may be practiced.

BRIEF SUMMARY

At least one embodiment disclosed herein comprises a furniture item forsuspending a user's feet using a suspended foot rest. The foot restcomprises a first attachment portion at a first end of the suspendedfoot rest and a second attachment portion at a physically oppositesecond end of the suspended foot rest. The first attachment portioncomprises a first structural attachment member that is attached to afirst pillar. The second attachment portion comprises a secondstructural attachment member that is attached to a second pillar. Thefirst pillar extends upward to a first elevated portion that extendsabove a floor. The first elevated portion is attached to the firststructural attachment. The second pillar extends upward to a secondelevated portion that extends above the floor. The second elevatedportion is attached to the second structural attachment. The suspendedfoot rest is suspended between the first pillar and the second pillar.

An additional or alternative disclosed embodiment comprises anadjustable stand for suspending a suspended foot rest. A firstattachment portion comprises a first structural attachment member thatis attached to a first pillar. The suspended foot rest is attached tothe first structural attachment member. A second attachment portioncomprises a second structural attachment member that is attached to asecond pillar. The suspended foot rest is also attached to the secondstructural attachment member. The first pillar extends upward to a firstelevated portion that extends above a floor. The first elevated portionis attached to the first structural attachment member. The firstelevated portion is removable from a lower portion of the first pillar.The second pillar extends upward to a second elevated portion thatextends above the floor. The second elevated portion is attached to thesecond structural attachment member. The second elevated portion isremovable from a lower portion of the second pillar. A firstfurniture-mounting connector is configured to be mounted to an undersideof a work surface. The first furniture-mounting connector comprises afirst attachment feature configured to mount the firstfurniture-mounting connector to the underside of the work surface and afirst pillar-receiving connector configured to receive the first uppersection of the first pillar.

Additionally, at least one embodiment comprises another adjustable standfor suspending a suspended foot rest. A first attachment portioncomprises a first structural attachment member that is attached to afirst pillar. A suspended foot rest is attached to the first structuralattachment member. A second attachment portion comprises a secondstructural attachment member that is attached to a second pillar. Thesuspended foot rest is attached to the second structural attachmentmember. A horizontal beam spans between the first pillar and the secondpillar. The first pillar extends upward to a first elevated portion thatextends above a floor. The first elevated portion is attached to thefirst structural attachment. The first pillar comprises a firsttelescoping rod extending from a first extension point integrated intothe first pillar such that the first pillar is positionable in anextended position or in a contracted position. The second pillarextending upward to a second elevated portion that extends above thefloor. The second elevated portion is attached to the second structuralattachment. The second pillar comprises a second telescoping rodextending from a second extension point integrated into the secondpillar such that the second pillar is positionable in an extendedposition or in a contracted position. A furniture-mounting connector isconfigured to be mounted to an underside of a work surface. Thefurniture-mounting connector comprises an attachment feature configuredto mount the furniture-mounting connector to the underside of the worksurface. A stand-receiving connector is configured to receive thehorizontal beam that spans between the first pillar and the secondpillar.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the descriptionwhich follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or maybe learned by the practice of the teachings herein. Features andadvantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of theinstruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. Features of the present invention will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, or may belearned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features can be obtained, a more particular descriptionof the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered byreference to specific embodiments which are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting inscope, embodiments will be described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand in use.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand with separatedpillar portions.

FIG. 4A illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand attached to awork surface.

FIG. 4B illustrates an embodiment of a furniture-mounting connector.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a foot rest stand.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand with telescopingpillars.

FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand attached to awork surface.

FIG. 7B illustrates another embodiment of a furniture-mountingconnector.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a foot rest stand.

FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand pillar with afirst structural attachment member.

FIG. 9B illustrates an embodiment of a first attachment portion.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand attached to awork surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed embodiments comprise a stand that allows for suspended footrests to function without requiring the foot rest to hang them fromabove, such as from the underside of a desk. As such, disclosedembodiments allow a suspended foot rest to be used anywhere with a flatsurface because the suspended foot rest hangs from joints that areindependent from the desk itself. Additionally, disclosed embodimentteach suspended foot rest systems that interoperate with the stand andwork surfaces, such as desks. Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, afoot rest stand is designed to be used in conjunction with a worksurfaced-based system.

The purpose of the foot rest stand is to provide increased versatilityand ease of use to end users. For example, suspended foot rests may beattachable to the bottom of a desk. However, not every desk has anunderside material that is ideal for adhering a foot rest. The foot reststand disclosed herein provides a means for users to utilize a suspendedfoot rest regardless of whether their desks have an ideal adherencesurface. As such, a foot rest allows any user to benefit from theelevated foot rest, without regard to the availability of a hangingsurface to the user.

For example, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand inuse. As depicted, in at least one embodiment, a foot rest stand 110comprises a suspended foot rest 100 comprising a first attachmentportion 140 a at a first end of the suspended foot rest 100 and a secondattachment portion 140 b at an opposite second end of the suspended footrest 100. The first attachment portion 140 a and the second attachmentportion 140 b each comprise structural attachment members 150(a, b) thatare attached to the different respective pillars 120 a, 120 b. Forexample, the structural attachment members 150(a, b) may comprise metalrings that are integrated with the top of each pillar 120(a, b). Themetal rings receive webbing that is extending from the foot rest 100such that the metal rings connect the foot rest 100 to the respectivepillars 120(a, b).

As depicted, the first pillar 120 a and the second pillar 120 b extendupward to first and second elevated portions that extends above thefloor. The foot rest stand 110 is supported by a stand 130 that is onthe floor. In at least one embodiment, the stand comprises an H-bracewith a beam (shown as “horizontal beam 600 in FIG. 6) connecting a firstset of legs under the first pillar 120 a and a second set of legs underthe second pillar 120 b.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand 110. In thedepicted embodiment, the first pillar 120 a comprises a first connector200 a and the second pillar 120 b comprises a second connector 200 b. Asuspended foot rest 100 is suspending between the pillars 120(a, b).FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the foot rest stand 110 of FIG. 2with separated pillar portions.

In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates that the first pillar 120 a comprisesan upper section 300 a and a lower section 300 b that are joined at thefirst connector 200 a. Similarly, the second pillar 120 b comprise anupper section 310 a and a lower section 310 b that are joined at thesecond connector 200 b. In various embodiments, the connectors 200(a, b)join the respective upper sections 300 a, 310 a and lower sections 300b, 310 b through a threaded connection, through a button clipconnection, through a press-fit connection, or through any otherconnection that is suitable for joining two tubes. As such, in at leastone embodiment, the upper sections 300 a, 310 a are wholly removablefrom the lower sections 300 b, 310 b. Additionally, in at least oneembodiment, the connectors 200(a, b) allow the height of the respectivepillars 120(a, b) to be adjusted.

Turning now to FIG. 4A, an embodiment of a foot rest stand 110 attachedto a work surface 400 is depicted. More specifically, a portion of thefoot rest stand 110 that includes the upper sections 300 a, 310 a areattached to the underside of the work surface 400, which in this exampleis a desk. As used within this application, a work surface includes adesk, a table, a bench, or any other piece of furniture that comprises asurface on which a user may work.

FIG. 4B illustrates an embodiment of a furniture-mounting connector 405that is used to connect the respective upper sections 300 a, 310 a tothe work surface. The furniture-mounting connector 405 comprises anattachment feature 430 configured to mount the furniture-mountingconnector to the underside of the work surface. The attachment feature430 may comprise screw holes, nail holes, glue, tape, or any otherconnector that is able to permanently or semi-permanently attached thefurniture-mounting connector 405 to the bottom surface of a workingsurface 400. The furniture-mounting connector 405 also comprises apillar-receiving connector 410 configured to receive an upper section300 a, 310 a of a pillar 120(a, b) The pillar-receiving connector 410comprises a similar connector 420 to that which connected the respectiveupper sections 300 a, 310 a to the lower sections 300 b, 310 b. Forexample, the connector 420 may comprise a threaded connection, a buttonclip connection, a press-fit connection, or any other connection that issuitable for joining two tubes.

FIG. 4A depicts two furniture-mounting connectors 405(a, b) mounted tothe underside of the work surface 400 through the attachment feature430. The upper sections 300 a, 310 a are disposed within thepillar-receiving connectors 410 such that the suspended foot rest 100 issuspended below the working surface 400. Accordingly, in at least oneembodiment, portions of a foot stand 110 can be easily incorporated intoa suspending foot rest system that attaches to the bottom of a workingsurface.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of a foot rest stand withtelescoping rods. In particular, FIG. 5 depicts the pillars at leastpartially extended, and FIG. 6 depicts the pillars at least partiallycontracted. In this depicted embodiment, the pillars 120(a, b) comprisetelescoping rods extending from extension points 500(a, b) that areintegrated into the pillars. As such, the pillars are each positionablein an extended position or in a contracted position. In at least oneembodiment, each extension point 500(a, b) also comprises lockingmechanisms integrated into the extension point that when activatedprevents the telescoping of the pillars. For example, the lockingmechanism may comprise a button clip connection, a threaded squeeze fitconnection, a clamp, or some other mechanism that prevents thetelescoping rods from extending or contracting. Further, in at least oneembodiment, the locking mechanism may be variable such that thetelescoping rods are lockable in multiple positions of extension orcontraction. This ability to variable lock the telescoping rods mayallow a user to customize the height of the foot rest stand 110.

FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand 110 attached to awork surface 400 through a furniture-mounting connector 700. Thefurniture-mounting connector 700 is depicted in FIG. 7B. The depictedembodiment of the furniture-mounting connector is configured to bemounted to an underside of a work surface 400 through the attachmentfeature 720. The furniture-mounting connector 700 comprises astand-receiving connector 710 configured to receive a horizontal beam600 that spans between the first pillar 120 a and the second pillar 120b.

As depicted in FIG. 7A, the furniture-mounting connector 700 is mountedto the underside of the work surface 400 through the attachment feature720. The horizontal beam 600 is disposed within the stand-receivingconnector 710 such that the suspended foot rest 100 is suspended belowthe working surface 400.

In at least one embodiment, positioning the stand-receiving connector710 such that it opens in the direction of the user provides severalbenefits. For example, when using the suspended foot rest 100, a user islikely to exert a force in the direction away from the user. As such,positioning the stand-receiving connector 710 such that is opens towardsthe user allows the force that the user exerts to push the horizontalbeam 600 more deeply into the stand-receiving connector 710.

Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the legs 730(a, b) of the footrest stand 110 also perform a function of stabilizing the suspendingfoot rest 100 when it is hanging from a work surface 400. For example,forces exerted by a user onto the suspended foot rest 100 may exert atorque on the suspended foot rest 100 and foot rest stand 110. Thetorque may cause the foot rest stand 110 to rotate within thestand-receiving connector 710. Specifically, the torque may cause thehorizontal beam 600 to rotate within the stand-receiving connector 710.This rotation may cause the horizontal beam 600 to pop out of thestand-receiving connector 710. In at least one embodiment, however, thelegs 730(a, b) prevent the foot rest stand 110 from rotating while it ishanging from the bottom of the work surface 400. For example, in atleast one embodiment, the legs 730(a, b) may be positioned such thatwhen the horizontal beam is within the stand-receiving connector 710,the legs 730(a, b) are held flat against bottom surface of the workingsurface 400. One of skill in the art will appreciate that thisconfiguration will limit or prevent the ability of the horizontal beam600 to rotate within the stand-receiving connector 710.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a foot rest stand. In thisdepicted embodiment, the structural attachment members 150(a, b)comprise portions of side-release buckles 800(a, b). For example, thestructural attachment members 150(a, b) may comprise female portions ofside-release buckles 800(a, b). In contrast, the male portions of theside-release buckles 800(a, b) may be integrated into the suspended footrest 100. For example, FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment of a foot reststand pillar 120 a with a first structural attachment member 120 a inthe form of a side-release buckle 800 a.

FIG. 9B illustrates an embodiment of the side-release buckle 800 a. Thedepicted side-release buckle 800 a comprises a male portion 900 with atleast one tab 920. The depicted male portion 900 also comprises anattachment point 930. In this embodiment, the attachment point 930comprises a ring. However, in additional or alternative embodiments, theattachment point 930 comprises any number of different mechanisms forconnecting the suspended foot rest 100 from the male portion 900. Forexample, the attachment point 930 may comprise a bolt, glue, tape, atension hold, a slit, a hole, or any other suitable connection.

FIG. 9B also depicts an embodiment of a female portion 910 of theside-release buckle 800 a. The depicted female portion 910 comprises atleast one tab slot 940 for receiving the tab 920 of the male. The femalepotion 910 also comprises an attachment point slot 950 that receives theattachment point 930 without interference. For example, a suspended footrest 100 attached to the ring, as depicted by the male portion 900, willfit within the attachment point slot 950 of the female portion 910 suchthat the female portion 910 does not interfere within the attachmentpoint 910 or the suspended foot rest 100.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand 110 attached to awork surface 400. In the depicted embodiment, furniture-mountingconnectors 1000(a, b) are configured to be mounted to an underside of awork surface 400. The furniture-mounting connectors 1000(a, b) comprisean attachment feature configured to mount the furniture-mountingconnectors 1001(a, b) to the underside of the work surface 400.Additionally, each furniture-mounting connector 1001(a, b) comprises aportion of a side-release buckle 800(a, b) that is configured to receivea corresponding portion of side release buckle 800(a, b) that isintegrated into the suspended foot rest 100. Additionally, FIG. 10 showsthe furniture-mounting connectors 1000(a, b) mounted to the underside ofthe work surface 400 through the attachment feature. Additionally, asdepicted the male portions of the side release buckles 800(a, b) aredisposed within the female portions of a side-release buckles 800(a, b)such that the suspended foot rest 100 is suspended below the workingsurface 400.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodimentsare to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and notrestrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changeswhich come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims areto be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A furniture item for suspending a user's feet,comprising a suspended foot rest comprising a first attachment portionat a first end of the suspended foot rest and a second attachmentportion at an opposite second end of the suspended foot rest; the firstattachment portion comprising a first structural attachment member thatis attached to a first pillar; the second attachment portion comprisinga second structural attachment member that is attached to a secondpillar; the first pillar extending upward to a first elevated portionthat extends above a floor, wherein the first elevated portion isattached to the first structural attachment member; the second pillarextending upward to a second elevated portion that extends above thefloor, wherein the second elevated portion is attached to the secondstructural attachment member; wherein the suspended foot rest issuspended between the first pillar and the second pillar.
 2. Thefurniture item of claim 1, wherein the foot rest comprises aninterchangeable fabric hammock.
 3. The furniture item of claim 1,wherein the first pillar and the second pillar comprise pipes thatextend from a common base.
 4. The furniture item of claim 1, wherein thefirst pillar comprises a first upper section and a second lower sectionthat are joined by a connector such that the first upper section iswholly removable from the second lower section.
 5. The furniture item ofclaim 4, further comprising: a furniture-mounting connector configuredto be mounted to an underside of a work surface, the furniture-mountingconnector comprising: an attachment feature configured to mount thefurniture-mounting connector to the underside of the work surface, and apillar-receiving connector configured to receive the first upper sectionof the first pillar.
 6. The furniture item of claim 5, furthercomprising: the furniture-mounting connector mounted to the underside ofthe work surface through the attachment feature; and the first uppersection of the first pillar disposed within the pillar-receivingconnector such that the suspended foot rest is suspended below theworking surface.
 7. The furniture item of claim 1, wherein the firstpillar comprises a telescoping rod extending from an extension pointintegrated into the first pillar such that the first pillar ispositionable in an extended position or in a contracted position.
 8. Thefurniture item of claim 7, further comprising a locking mechanismintegrated into the extension point that when activated prevents thetelescoping of the first pillar.
 9. The furniture item of claim 7,further comprising: a furniture-mounting connector configured to bemounted to an underside of a work surface, the furniture-mountingconnector comprising: an attachment feature configured to mount thefurniture-mounting connector to the underside of the work surface, and astand-receiving connector configured to receive a horizontal beam thatspans between the first pillar and the second pillar.
 10. The furnitureitem of claim 9, further comprising: the furniture-mounting connectormounted to the underside of the work surface through the attachmentfeature; and the horizontal beam disposed within the stand-receivingconnector such that the first suspended foot rest is suspended below theworking surface.
 11. The furniture item of claim 1, wherein the firststructural attachment member comprises a first portion of a side-releasebuckle.
 12. The furniture item of claim 11, wherein the first attachmentportion comprises a second portion of a side release buckle and thesecond portion of the side release buckle is integrated into thesuspended foot rest.
 13. The furniture item of claim 12, furthercomprising: a furniture-mounting connector configured to be mounted toan underside of a work surface, the furniture-mounting connectorcomprising: an attachment feature configured to mount thefurniture-mounting connector to the underside of the work surface, andanother first portion of a side-release buckle configured to receive thesecond portion of the side release buckle that is integrated into thesuspended foot rest.
 14. The furniture item of claim 13, furthercomprising: the furniture-mounting connector mounted to the underside ofthe work surface through the attachment feature; and the second portionof the side release buckle disposed within the other first portion of aside-release buckle such that the suspended foot rest is suspended belowthe working surface.
 15. An adjustable stand for suspending a suspendedfoot rest, comprising a first attachment portion comprising a firststructural attachment member that is attached to a first pillar, whereina suspended foot rest is attached to the first structural attachmentmember; a second attachment portion comprising a second structuralattachment member that is attached to a second pillar, wherein thesuspended foot rest is attached to the second structural attachmentmember; the first pillar extending upward to a first elevated portionthat extends above a floor, wherein: the first elevated portion isattached to the first structural attachment, and the first elevatedportion is removable from a lower portion of the first pillar; thesecond pillar extending upward to a second elevated portion that extendsabove the floor, wherein: the second elevated portion is attached to thesecond structural attachment, and the second elevated portion isremovable from a lower portion of the second pillar; and a firstfurniture-mounting connector configured to be mounted to an underside ofa work surface, the first furniture-mounting connector comprising: afirst attachment feature configured to mount the firstfurniture-mounting connector to the underside of the work surface, and afirst pillar-receiving connector configured to receive the first uppersection of the first pillar.
 16. The furniture item of claim 15, furthercomprising a second furniture-mounting connector configured to bemounted to an underside of a work surface, the second furniture-mountingconnector comprising: a second attachment feature configured to mountthe second furniture-mounting connector to the underside of the worksurface, and a second pillar-receiving connector configured to receivethe second upper section of the second pillar.
 17. The furniture item ofclaim 15, further comprising: the first furniture-mounting connectormounted to the underside of the work surface through the firstattachment feature; the first upper section of the first pillar disposedwithin the first pillar-receiving connector such that the firststructural attachment member is suspended below the working surface; thesecond furniture-mounting connector mounted to the underside of the worksurface through the second attachment feature; the second upper sectionof the second pillar disposed within the second pillar-receivingconnector such that the second structural attachment member is suspendedbelow the working surface.
 18. An adjustable stand for suspending asuspended foot rest, comprising a first attachment portion comprising afirst structural attachment member that is attached to a first pillar,wherein a suspended foot rest is attached to the first structuralattachment member; a second attachment portion comprising a secondstructural attachment member that is attached to a second pillar,wherein the suspended foot rest is attached to the second structuralattachment member; a horizontal beam spanning between the first pillarand the second pillar the first pillar extending upward to a firstelevated portion that extends above a floor, wherein: the first elevatedportion is attached to the first structural attachment, and the firstpillar comprises a first telescoping rod extending from a firstextension point integrated into the first pillar such that the firstpillar is positionable in an extended position or in a contractedposition; the second pillar extending upward to a second elevatedportion that extends above the floor, wherein: the second elevatedportion is attached to the second structural attachment, and the secondpillar comprises a second telescoping rod extending from a secondextension point integrated into the second pillar such that the secondpillar is positionable in an extended position or in a contractedposition; and a furniture-mounting connector configured to be mounted toan underside of a work surface, the furniture-mounting connectorcomprising: an attachment feature configured to mount thefurniture-mounting connector to the underside of the work surface, and astand-receiving connector configured to receive the horizontal beam thatspans between the first pillar and the second pillar.
 19. The furnitureitem of claim 18, further comprising: the furniture-mounting connectormounted to the underside of the work surface through the attachmentfeature; and the horizontal beam disposed within the stand-receivingconnector such that the first structural attachment member is suspendedbelow the working surface.
 20. The furniture item of claim 18, whereinthe stand-receiving connector comprises a pipe snap.